Peach And Pomegranate Pavlova Food

PEACH AND POMEGRANATE PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F/120°C/100°C fan/the lowest gas mark and line a baking sheet with baking parchment or a reusable baking sheet.
• Make the meringue mixture then sprinkle the raspberry powder over the top and fold through a few times. You want to see ripples of raspberry, so don't mix it in completely. Spoon onto the baking sheet and spread it out into a large rectangle that is the same thickness all over. Bake for three hours so the meringue is completely dried out and crisp. To ensure a crunchy shell and soft, chewy middle, I like to turn the oven off and leave the meringue to cool in the oven overnight. If you don't have time, just leave it to cool on the tray until completely cold.
• Whip the cream into soft peaks and just before serving, spoon it onto the top of the meringue. Arrange the peach slices on top of the cream, fanning them out, then sprinkle the pomegranate seeds on top.

POMEGRANATE PAVLOVA

Steps:

• In a stand mixer bowl, combine the egg whites, granulated sugar and salt. Place over a saucepan of boiling water and whisk continuously until the mixture is opaque and ribbony and sugar is completely dissolved, about 10 minutes. (Feel some between your fingers; if it feels smooth without granules, you're good. You can also test readiness by the temperature. The mixture should be around 140 degrees F.)
• Attach the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip the egg white mixture until the bowl has cooled off and the whites are stiff glossy peaks, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and cider vinegar and combine thoroughly.
• Preheat the oven to 210 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Plop the egg white mixture onto the center of the prepared baking sheet and spread into a 9-inch circle with a well-defined cavity for filling. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then turn off the oven and allow to sit in there for another 2 hours. Remove the meringue from the oven and reserve at room temperature in a dry place.
• Place the meringue on a serving dish. Fill the cavity with the Curd, then top with the sliced apple, grapes, pomegranate seeds and candied nuts.
• Combine the orange juice, pomegranate juice, powdered sugar, eggs, egg yolks and salt in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk continuously (not too vigorously, though, just gently) until mixture has thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the stove and add the butter, a chunk at a time, whisking until it is fully melted and combined. Add food the coloring and stir it in.
• Transfer the curd to a dish or container, leaving behind any curdled bits that may have formed on the bottom of the saucepan. Cover the surface of the curd with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.

RASPBERRY PAVLOVA WITH PEACHES AND CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a circle with a 9-inch diameter, then flip paper upside-down. You'll still be able to see the outline.
• Using a blender or food processor, blend the raspberries until you get a fine powder speckled with seeds. (The seeds won't break down so don't even try.) You should have about 1/3 cup. Set aside.
• Using the bowl from an electric mixer, whisk together egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt. Fill a medium pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Set the mixing bowl with the egg white mixture into the pot, and whisk constantly by hand until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove bowl from heat, transfer bowl back to the mixer, and beat with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the raspberry powder until combined but still very streaky.
• Spoon mixture onto prepared parchment paper circle. Lightly drag a spatula along the outer edges of the mixture from bottom to top, to help build up the edges so there is a deep well in the center of the pavlova. Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until dry and firm to the touch. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• A half-hour before serving, prepare the topping: Stir together 1/2 cup water, sugar, vanilla bean and lemon zest in a small pot over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and syrup is thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. Put peaches in a bowl, stir in syrup and let cool.
• Whisk together cream, sour cream, confectioners' sugar and salt until firm peaks form, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Fill cooled pavlova with whipped cream; use a slotted spoon to top with peach mixture and raspberries, then drizzle with some of the syrup from bottom of the peach bowl. Serve at once.

PEACH AND PASSIONFRUIT PAVLOVA ROLL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced.
• Grease a 25cm x 30cm Swiss roll pan.
• Line with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang on all sides. Place a second sheet of baking paper on a flat surface. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon caster sugar.
• Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Add remaining caster sugar. Beat for 10 minutes or until sugar has dissolved.
• Spread mixture over prepared pan. Smooth top. Sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until top just starts to brown.
• Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat cream and icing sugar until stiff peaks form. Pat peaches dry with paper towel.
• Turn meringue onto prepared baking paper. Remove lining paper. Cool for 3 minutes.
• Spread with cream mixture. Top with peaches and passionfruit pulp. Roll up meringue from one long end to enclose filling. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve dusted with icing sugar.

BROWN-SUGAR PEACH PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Pavlova: Preheat oven to 300°F with a rack in center. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Using an overturned bowl or cake pan as a guide, trace an 8-inch circle on parchment; turn parchment marked-side down.
• Place egg whites, brown sugar, and salt in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed until well combined and no lumps of sugar remain. Increase speed to medium; beat until soft peaks form, about 9 minutes. With mixer running, gradually add granulated sugar. Continue beating until peaks are stiff and glossy, about 2 minutes more. Beat in vinegar and vanilla.
• Secure marked parchment to baking sheet with a small dollop of meringue under each corner. Using a rubber spatula, spread remaining meringue onto marked 8-inch circle; form peaks around edge and a well in center. Bake until meringue is crisp around edges and just set in center, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off oven and let cool inside 2 hours. Transfer sheet to a wire rack; let stand until meringue is cool enough to handle. Carefully peel meringue off parchment and let cool completely on rack.
• Poached peaches: Meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath. In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and 2 1/4 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Add peaches (cut-sides up) and cover with a parchment round to keep them submerged. Reduce heat to low and simmer until peaches are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer peaches to a plate with a slotted spoon. When cool enough to handle, peel, discarding skins. Bring poaching liquid to a boil; cook until thickened and reduced by half (you should have 1 cup), about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and chill in ice bath until cold.
• Topping: In a bowl, beat heavy cream with granulated sugar on medium speed until stiff peaks form. To assemble, carefully place meringue on a serving platter. Spoon whipped cream on top, spreading to edges; then add peaches, cut-sides down. Drizzle with syrup, slice into wedges, and serve immediately.

HONEYED PEACH & PISTACHIO PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Using a 20cm plate or cake tin as a template, draw a circle on a large sheet of baking parchment, flip it over and place on a large baking tray. When ready, dot a blob of raw meringue onto each corner of the baking tray and put the baking parchment on top - this way it won't slip.
• In a well-cleaned, grease-free bowl, whisk the egg whites with an electric hand whisk until they form stiff peaks. Add the caster sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, continuing to whisk as you go. The meringue will start to get thick and glossy. Add the brown sugar in the same way, continue whisking for another 1-2 mins until really thick and holding stiff, shiny peaks on the end of your whisk. Now add the cornflour and vinegar, and give a final whisk until smooth.
• Using a large metal spoon, pile the meringue onto the parchment-lined tray, using the circle template as a guide to create a symmetrical circle. Use the spoon to make a dip in the middle (this will hold your cream and fruit later) and a few spikes of meringue around the edges. Place in the centre of the oven, shut the door and immediately turn the temperature down to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Cook the meringue for 1 hr 10 mins, then turn the oven off and leave until completely cold (best done overnight).
• For the topping, put the 100ml honey in a wide frying pan and heat until saucy. Add the peach slices and cook for 1-2 mins on each side, over quite a high heat, until the peaches are sticky but still holding their shape. Cool completely.
• Just before you are ready to serve, assemble the pavlova. Tip the cream, vanilla and remaining honey into a bowl. Whisk until it just holds soft peaks, then add the yogurt and, using a spatula, fold together until combined. Spoon the cream into the centre of the meringue and swirl it out towards the edges. Top with the sticky peaches and any saucy bits from the pan, and sprinkle over the pistachios.

PEACH MELBA PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 120C/100C fan/gas ½. Line a large, flat baking sheet with baking parchment. Tip egg whites into a large bowl. Sift together the sugars. Blend the cornflour, vanilla and vinegar to a paste.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then whisk in the sugars, 2-3 tbsp at a time, alternating with the paste. Continue whisking until the meringue is thick and marshmallow-like.
• Spoon the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet and spread to a 22cm round. Use the back of a metal spoon to make a shallow dip in the centre for the filling. Bake the meringue for 1½ hrs, then turn off the heat and leave it in the oven to cool. Transfer to a flat serving plate.
• Put half the raspberries in a pan with the sugar and 2 tbsp water. Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then cook for a few mins until the raspberries are soft and pulpy. Tip into a food processor with the remaining raspberries and whizz to a purée. Press through a sieve into a bowl to remove the pips. Cool.
• Halve and stone the peaches, then cut each half into 4-5 slices. Whip the cream until stiff. Drizzle over half the raspberry sauce and fold in gently with a large metal spoon to make a ripple effect. Carefully spoon the cream into the centre of the meringue. Pile the peaches on top and scatter with the remaining raspberries. Drizzle with the remaining sauce and dust lightly with icing sugar. Serve without delay.